ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is “ready for war” and capable of responding to any foreign aggression, military spokesman Maj. Gen. Asif Ghafoor said on Saturday.
“We are ready for war but choose to walk the path of peace in the interest of the people of Pakistan, the neighbors and the region,” he said.
Earlier on Saturday, Indian Army Chief Gen. Bipin Rawat threatened to take “stern action” in response to the killing of an Indian Border Security Force (BSF) soldier. “I think the other side (Pakistan) must also feel the same pain,” he said.
Rawat’s statement came a day after India called off talks between the two countries’ foreign ministers, citing the killing of the BSF soldier as one of the reasons.
Ghafoor called Rawat’s statement “irresponsible,” saying: “India should not disturb the peace process.”
Ghafoor said Pakistan is a nuclear power, and its desire for peace should not be misconstrued as weakness.
Islamabad’s “offer still stands for India to come forward and hold talks with us,” he added, denying that the Pakistani Army was responsible for the killing of the BSF soldier.
Pakistani Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Saturday tweeted that India is resorting to “warmongering” to deflect attention from “increasing calls” for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resignation over corruption allegations.
The president of the opposition Pakistan Muslim League — Nawaz (PML-N), Shehbaz Sharif, said the world should immediately take note of India’s threatening posture.
“Pakistan extending an olive branch to India, should never be misconstrued as weakness,” he tweeted.
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted on Saturday: “Disappointed at the arrogant and negative response by India to my call for resumption of the peace dialogue. However, all my life I have come across small men occupying big offices who do not have the vision to see the larger picture.”
Pakistan ready to respond to foreign aggression — Army spokesman
Pakistan ready to respond to foreign aggression — Army spokesman
- Desire for peace should not be misconstrued as our weakness, says Pakistan military spokesman
- We reject warmongering by ruling elite of India, Pakistan’s information minister says
Pakistan says two astronaut candidates pass China screening for space mission
- Candidates complete medical and psychological assessments at China’s astronaut center
- Final selection for Chinese space station flight will take place after six-month training
ISLAMABAD: Two Pakistani astronaut candidates have successfully completed advanced medical, psychological and aptitude assessments in China for a human spaceflight mission, an official statement said on Saturday, bringing the country closer to sending on of them aboard a Chinese space station later this year.
The bilateral arrangement follows the signing of the Astronaut Cooperation Agreement between the two countries in February last year, which aimed to enable Pakistan’s participation in space-based activities.
The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) had selected potential candidates who underwent advanced assessments at the Astronauts Center of China (ACC) and will now proceed to the next phase of training.
“The shortlisted candidates will undertake advanced astronaut training for six months at ACC,” the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said in a statement.
“Upon completion of training, one candidate will be selected for a spaceflight mission aboard the Chinese Space Station (CSS) in October / November 2026,” it added.
The program is part of Pakistan’s broader push to enter human spaceflight through cooperation with China, as Beijing expands international participation in its Tiangong space station amid growing competition in space exploration.
China has increasingly opened its space station to international collaboration.
Pakistan and China have also worked together in the past on satellite launches and lunar exploration projects.
The ISPR described the initiative as a “landmark” step reflecting strong Chinese support, saying Beijing had “selected Pakistan as the first foreign partner in its astronaut program.”
